Free Subcontractor Agreement Template

What’s Included in the Subcontractor Agreement Template

This subcontractor agreement template gives general contractors a practical way to document the terms of a subcontracted job before work begins—and keep the scope, schedule, and approved changes organized as the project progresses.

A good subcontractor agreement should clearly establish who is performing the work, what work is included, how much the subcontractor will be paid, when payment is due, what insurance is required, and how changes or disputes will be handled. Putting these expectations in writing can reduce misunderstandings and gives both the general contractor and subcontractor a common document to reference during the project.

The Excel download includes three connected tabs:

• Subcontractor Agreement — A fill-in-the-blank agreement for documenting the contractor and subcontractor, project information, scope of work, contract price, payment terms, retainage, insurance requirements, responsibilities, key legal provisions, and signature blocks for both parties. Key provisions include checkboxes so you can identify whether each term is included, excluded, or not applicable to the subcontract.
• Scope & Schedule Tracker — Break the subcontract into individual scope items, phases, or milestones and assign the appropriate trade. Record scheduled start and completion dates and update each item as Not Started, In Progress, Complete, On Hold, or Disputed. This creates a simple record of what the subcontractor is responsible for and where that work stands.
• Change Order Log — Track work that changes after the original subcontract is signed. Each change can be assigned a change order number and documented with a description, price adjustment, approval status, and other relevant information. Maintaining a written change order log helps distinguish the original contracted scope from additional or modified work.

How to Use the Template

Start with the Subcontractor Agreement tab and complete the yellow input cells with the project, contractor, subcontractor, scope, pricing, payment, insurance, and other job-specific information. Review each provision and mark it as included, excluded, or N/A based on the terms of your subcontract.

Next, use the Scope & Schedule Tracker to turn the agreed scope into specific deliverables or milestones. As work progresses, update the schedule and status so your team has a current record of subcontractor responsibilities and progress.

If the scope changes, document the change in the Change Order Log rather than relying only on texts, emails, or verbal conversations. Record the proposed cost and approval status before incorporating the change into your project records.

What Should Be Included in a Subcontractor Agreement?

The exact requirements vary by project, company, and jurisdiction, but construction subcontractor agreements commonly address the parties involved, project and scope of work, contract amount, payment schedule, retainage, schedule, change orders, insurance, safety and compliance responsibilities, warranties, dispute procedures, termination, and signatures.

This template is designed as a practical starting point rather than a substitute for a contract prepared or reviewed for your business. Construction contract requirements can vary significantly by state and project type, so contractors should have their agreement reviewed by a qualified attorney before relying on it for actual projects.

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